Tirukkural Chapter 41 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 41 - கல்லாமை
CHAPTER 41 - ON UNEDUCATED
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41/04. கல்லாதான் ஒட்பம் கழியநன்று ஆயினும்
கொள்ளார் அறிவுடை யார்.

41/04. Kallaadhaan otpam kazhiyanandru aayinum
Kollaar arrivudai yaar.

41/04. The knowledge of an uneducated man appears to be educated,
But wise men will not accept it.
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Ambika: There are good speakers
Among uneducated people also.

Bhavana: True, but when they lecture
On an advance literature,
Their weakness may come out,
Which wise men can find out.

They should be given
A reasonable margin
For their weakness
In such deep subjects.

Better they remain quiet
When they're required to meet,
In a meeting, educated people,
Just with a pleasing smile.
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41/05. கல்லா ஒருவன் தகைமை தலைப்பெய்து
சொல்லாடச் சோர்வு படும்.

41/05. Kallaa oruvan thagaimai thalaippeidhu
Sollaadach sorvu padum.

41/05. An uneducated man, claiming himself a wise man,
While talking with an educated man, he will lose his value.
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Ambika: Just like a wolf in sheep's coat,
An uneducated man poses himself as educated.

Bhavana: Yes Ambika, in such an event,
His true color will come out,
While discussing with wise men.
How far he can be relied upon?

Why should he poke his nose
Instead of maintaining silence?
Empty drum makes much noise.
Still waters run deep in silence.

He'll lose his value before
An august assembly of scholars
Better he keeps away from them
Instead of being ridiculed by them.
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41/06. உளர்என்னும் மாத்திரையர் அல்லால் பயவாக்
களர்அனையர் கல்லா தவர்.

41/06. Ullarennum maaththiraiyar allaal bayavaak
Kallaranaiyar kallaa dhavar.

41/06. Just to say that uneducated person is alive,
But he is like a barren land unfit for cultivation.
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Ambika: What is the use of an uneducated person?

Bhavana: There's no use of that person,
Like a barren land unfit for cultivation.
He may be alive, but like a dead horse,
For any kind of job, he's useless.

Many such persons go as beggars
Or turn into merciless thieves
Or do some menial odd jobs
Which can't be done by others.

Some of them are drunkards,
Who drink and roll in roads,
After doing dirty jobs
Like disposal of stinking wastes.
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